environmental management

	Case Study
Name:	Newcastle Environment Management Plan
Client:	Newcastle City Council

Description: In August 1995 Newcastle City Council adopted the first Newcastle Environment Management Plan, which delivered many environmental improvements for the City. A review of the 1995 Plan revealed that significant resources had since been allocated by Council to issues not identified in the Plan and furthermore that the plan lacked integration across various environmental issues and across Council's economic, social and cultural goals. As such the 2003 Plan was written to ensure more integration across the 11 themes to achieve more sustainable environmental outcomes.

Scope: SD Environmental Management was commissioned by Newcastle City Council to co-ordinate the internal and external consultation processes required and facilitate theme-based planning (brainstorming) workshops. As the Plan was to incorporate a "systems thinking" approach, SD Environmental Management used a Program Logic model to explore linkages between themes and between the natural and human systems that influence environmental condition. Furthermore, the Program Logic Model enabled linkages to be made with existing plans and strategies and with Council's Continuous Improvement Cycle. Measurable outcomes were developed across all themes.

View the Newcastle Environmental Management Plan 2003

Client Comments: "The professional yet personalised contribution provided by Sonja Duncan and the real benefits that come with working with a small consultancy has delivered high value and satisfying outcomes on a range of challenging projects. The passion and enthusiasm for the process and the project outcomes, and the ability to be flexible as projects evolve is a great strength of the consultancy."

Frank Cosgrove, City Strategist Newcastle City Council